Graduate PR apprentice

The role

At Napier, our trainees benefit from experiencing all aspects of marketing & PR. Our award-winning team will provide you with the very best in training helping you create marketing strategies and campaigns that influence audiences across Europe and beyond.

As a PR apprentice, you will be given opportunities to work with a wide range of clients, from start-ups to global enterprises. You will develop skills and expertise more quickly which is not possible in an in-house (or client-side) role. This puts our apprentices on a fast track to becoming experts in their field.

Napier is an agency that works with clients in the business-to-business (B2B) technology sector. We provide a wide range of services, with a particular focus on content and PR.

Our clients include some of the biggest and most exciting brands in technology. They choose us because we bring the marketing expertise, creativity, and marketing insight they need to grow and develop their businesses.

Napier is an employee-owned business, meaning that you will get a chance to influence the direction of the agency, as well as sharing in the company’s profits.

Vacancy Description

On a day-to-day basis, you’ll work closely with account managers across a range of clients in different industries. You will have the opportunity to interact directly with our client's senior marketing managers and work across a wide range of projects, from content generation and PR to marketing automation, research, analytics and reporting.

Starting your career with Napier is an investment in your future and gives you many exciting opportunities for progression and recognition.

PR activities 

The PR Apprentice will be required to undertake (but not be restricted to) the following occupational duties as part of their role.

• Research, analyse and monitor stakeholders to inform engagement strategies.
• Monitor media to keep up to date with current affairs and build knowledge of the journalist and media landscape.
• Research, analyse and evaluate campaigns against key performance indicators (KPIs) to prepare future campaigns.
• Pitch content to journalists and share with other relevant stakeholders to inform and influence audiences to maintain positive relationships.
• Support the development of written, visual, audio and video content and schedule this content for publication/distribution according to the public relations and communications or campaign plan.
• Contribute to the creation of campaigns or new business proposals planning and their implementation.
• Undertake reputation assessment and formulate responses to support stakeholders with the planning and implementation of reputation management and/or crisis strategies.
• Support the PR team with routine administrative, logistical, and time-sensitive tasks.
• Support the planning and delivery of ad hoc engagement activities such as events.
• Contribute to team development through sharing relevant knowledge and skills when required.
• Organise and coordinate stakeholder meetings.
• Contribute to the organisational objectives and key performance indicators to support communication activities which drive and improve performance and sustainability goals.

Expectations:

• Time management: Planning, organising and prioritising your workload to ensure deadlines and objectives for both work activities and apprenticeship training are met. Ensuring email/online diaries are kept up to date.
• Career development: Taking responsibility for personal learning and professional development.
• Professional relationships: Developing professional relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and teams. Ensuring supervisors and coaches are aware of work-in-progress and any issues.
• Networking: Building a professional network of other PR professionals.
• The apprentice must always follow company and training provider procedures.

• As a Public Relations and Communications Apprentice, you will follow a Level 4 Public Relations Assistant apprenticeship standard, resulting in a         PRCA Qualification.
• The apprenticeship will include “on the job” training, virtual visits from an Apprenticeship Coach, an internal line manager to provide ongoing              guidance, online learning, and creating a portfolio of evidence.
• Learning includes attending 50+ courses delivered by PRCA experts.
• Apprentices are employed full-time with at least one day per week dedicated to apprenticeship coursework, including study and assignments.
• Functional Skills in maths and English if required.
• The PRCA is the training provider for this apprenticeship, as well as the largest membership and industry body for the PR & Communications              industry.

Desired skills and personal qualities

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Genuine interest in PR
• A proactive ‘self-starter’
• Interest in current affairs
• Motivated and committed
• Flexible and willing to learn
• Strong interest in the media

Educational background

• GCSE Grades 9-4 (A*- C) or equivalent in maths, English language or literature
• A Level or equivalent in English, humanities or science subjects (Grade 4 (C) and above)
• A degree in any subject that is not PR, Communications, Journalism or Advertising. We are particularly interested in candidates with degrees in engineering or other technical subjects.

Future prospects

Things to consider

You may be required to work flexible hours to meet the needs of clients.

Benefits offered:

• Free PRCA Membership
• Company performance bonus through employee ownership after the first six months
• 23 days holiday per annum
• Annual salary review
• Auto enrolment into our pension scheme
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee ownership scheme
• Opportunities to learn and develop marketing skills at an accelerated rate
• Outstanding internal and external training in the latest marketing tactics and technologies
• Varied career development opportunities within the agency
• Use of the best marketing tools in the world
• Free parking
• Casual dress code